Tragic lovers, they’ve been on my mind lately. I re-read William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as research for a short story I wrote called “Howlin’ at the Moon Kind of Love”. The master playwright just couldn’t leave it at true … Continue reading →

My friend Al and I trade book titles. Her recommendations are profound, the writers are clever and usually on the verge of becoming famous. Al can surely pick ‘em. Here are her impressions of author Lou Berney and his novel … Continue reading →

As we’ve all been told, perspective employers, customers, and friends skulk around our digital profiles to determine if we have pre-existing conditions like “bad spelling-itis” or “incorrect word usage addictions”. However, for me, life is too short to spend time … Continue reading →

Warmer days are here and so is This Common Reader’s 2015 summer recommendations, featuring some of the talented James River Writers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Non-fiction: Consider spending time with the “historical adventure stories” of Dean King, co-founder … Continue reading →

In her second novel, Goodbye for Now, Laurie Frankel takes a classic theme of the human experience—we live, we love, then we die—to a new level by adding avatars of her characters’ dead loved ones. Sam, a software coding genius, … Continue reading →

Author Howard Owen With the passing of Elmore Leonard in 2013, we were all reminded of his big rule on writing—try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip. Lucky for us, writer Howard Owen has mastered this … Continue reading →

Memorial Day originated from the commemoration of the fallen American Civil War Union soldiers and has evolved into a US Federal holiday which pays tribute to all American soldiers who have died in our wars. This week let us remember … Continue reading →

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, published in 1813, is one of the most popular novels in English literature. And in defense of Ms. Austen’s good name, I would like to use my Andy Rooney voice and ask the question: Have you … Continue reading →

Sorry if you’ve heard this from me before, but I am a HUGE David Eggers fan. According to Wikipedia – that is where I stalk all my heroes – Mr. Eggers is author to several books, owner of the publishing … Continue reading →

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein teaches us that the past is finished, focus on what lies ahead. Here’s what makes the story interesting: It is narrated by a dog. Enzo is named for the race … Continue reading →